Day 26 Monday 01.12.2008 Plateau - same position Rien ne vas plus the dice have fallen. We weighed all options, listened to our inner guidance and discussed in length whether to keep going or not. Since there were no kiting winds again today - and only 12 days and 660km left to reach the depot - we decided to let go of the South Pole and instead return home with the impressions, experiences and insights we have gathered in the 4 weeks of our expedition so far. A very important aspect of the final decision was the financial costs. For example, if we would have made it to 79° south and had no chance to reach the depot from there, a Basler aircraft would need 5 hrs to get to us and pick us up. Here in Antarctica one hour of flying costs ca. 7500 Euro! ($11000 CAD) To discuss the situation we both felt strongly this morning that we had to call Victor Serov in Novo right away. (usual call time is 8pm) Because of this we were told that there is an aircraft 'close' by, which is not usually the case. Now an aircraft on its way from the norwegian station Troll to Novo will do a 'little' detour and pick us up 16:00 GMT. What's more, the Ilyushin cargo plane is waiting and leaving tonight at 22:30 for Capetown. This means tomorrow morning we will be in Capetown again! Given our decision this morning it is just unbelievable how fast things are falling into place!! In light of all of this, Armin's dream from the 27th makes sense now - at the time we just saw what we wanted (and needed!) to see to get the full experience. :) It'll be a funny sight to see us walking through Capetown in our Polar clothes, as we have to go and by some 'normal' summer clothes.In Capetown it will be around +30°C while right here, right now it is -28°C (15:00). Of course we will continue our Blog until we are back in Germany and let you know how the re-introduction and re-integration is going for us. Aloha and our sincerest gratitude for all of your love, support and all the wonderful icemails!!! (Kati in CPT,please send us your cell phone number via Icemail)  1 Dec, 08 - 15:37 | Dispatch library Aloha Antarctica – Never again? That was a close shave! Back in Germany Saturday, 06.12.2008 - 20:35 Capetown 3 Dec, 08 - 12:20 Day 26 1 Dec, 08 - 15:37 Day 25 30 Nov, 08 - 19:56 Day 24 29 Nov, 08 - 20:48 Day 23 28 Nov, 08 - 20:39 Day 22 27 Nov, 08 - 20:21 Day 21 26 Nov, 08 - 19:23 Press 4 ende Day 20 25 Nov, 08 - 20:41 Tag 20 25 Nov, 08 - 20:01 Day 19 24 Nov, 08 - 19:29 Day 18 23 Nov, 08 - 19:22 Day 17 22 Nov, 08 - 20:18 Day 16 21 Nov, 08 - 20:36 Day 15 20 Nov, 08 - 20:25 Day 14 19 Nov, 08 - 20:27 Day 13 31 Dec, 08 - 20:37 Day 12 17 Nov, 09 - 20:29 Day 11 16 Nov, 08 - 20:36 Day 10 15 Nov, 08 - 20:16 Day 9 14 Nov, 08 - 20:02 Day 8 13 Nov, 08 - 19:59 Day 7 12 Nov, 08 - 18:50 Day 6 11 Nov, 08 - 19:37 Day 5 10 Nov, 08 - 19:29 Day 4 9 Nov, 08 - 18:39 Day 3 8 Nov, 08 - 20:51 Day 2 7 Nov, 08 - 19:13 We are on our way! 6 Nov, 08 - 22:27 Novo - day 4 4 Nov, 08 - 18:25 Novo Station 3 Nov, 08 - 17:50 Novo Station 2 Nov, 08 - 13:47 Icebog from 31.10.2008 31.10.2008 Last arrangements in Cape Town 30.10.2008 |
Klicken zum Vergrössern / Klick to enlarge